After dwelling within the heart of Rome for nearly 4 years, I’m an knowledgeable at avoiding crowds in Italy. When on the lookout for wine excursions in Tuscany, I all the time select a relaxed route alongside beautiful backroads that ship all of the La Dolce Vita feels of Italian wine nation — whereas nonetheless avoiding the complications of overtourism.
One in every of my favourite locations to go to is the lesser-known wine area of Italy, Terre di Pisa. Nestled between Florence and Pisa, it is going to make you are feeling like you may have Tuscany (virtually) to your self, even in excessive season. For those who’re on the lookout for the place to remain in Tuscany, look no additional. Terre di Pisa is a vibrant area stuffed with genuine village life, Michelin-starred hilltop eating places, fabulous natural wineries, vine-draped rolling hills, historic borgos, and verdant woods teeming with black and white truffles.
Able to plan an epicurean wine-tasting journey in Terre di Pisa, alongside its much less traveled backroads? Right here’s all you have to find out about the place to sip, day journey, dine, and keep in one of many greatest wine areas of Italy.
The place to Sip and Day Journey in This Wine Area of Italy
As a comparatively new DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controlata), Terre di Pisa isn’t beholden to just one basic wine mix. Its vineyards provide an unimaginable number of shiny wines singing with salinity. For a number of the greatest wines of Tuscany, attempt the Terre di Pisa Bianco, Terre di Pisa Vermentino, Terre di Pisa Rosato, and quite a lot of refined glowing wines alongside the best way.
San Miniato
A gourmand’s first cease alongside this Tuscan wine tour is San Miniato. An impossibly charming hilltop city, San Miniato is heralded for its elegant wines and white truffles. In reality, these are simply two of the numerous the reason why Florence and Pisa have fought over San Miniato for hundreds of years. Uncover its cobblestone streets, medieval sq., cathedral, spectacular tower, and infinity views of rolling hills lined in vineyards.
Whilst you’re there, make a cease at Pietro Beconcini vineyard. The house owners Leonardo and Eva personally greet and information every visitor by their natural winery, which is teeming with fossilized seashells within the soil below your ft. A lush forest borders the vineyards the place tartufaio (truffle hunter) Massimo Cucchiar and his canine Mela sniff out the fragrant delicacies. Get cozy within the tasting room and luxuriate in a day spent sampling truffles and wine. Leonardo pours a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese so elegant that it could actually even be paired with a plain white truffle.
On your second cease in San Miniato, cross by Podere Pellicciano, a winery set on a historic natural farm. The winery focuses on Terre di Pisa monovarietals, together with Colorino, Trebbiano, and Malvasia Nera. From these bottles, you possibly can respect the purity of the grape because it expresses itself in a solo symphony.
Lastly, spherical out the day with dinner and a view. The elegant Pepenero options beautiful countryside views, a mouthwatering white truffle menu, and an in depth hyper-local wine cellar.
Terricciola
Within the historic Entruscan space of Terricciola, Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio vineyard affords an informal tasting alfresco with seasonal native specialties. Ask for the restricted version Massima Felicità, a Terre di Pisa Roso with notes of liquorice and cassis.
For a contemporary twist, cease on the tasting room and cellar of Podere La Chiesa. Though it’s surrounded by million-year-old limestone, the constructing is a real up to date architectural masterpiece. Style their winery’s Opera in Pink, a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC that’s spherical and stylish with a silky mouthfeel. You’ll want to additionally examine Podera La Chiesa’s calendar prematurely for jazz concert events and fashionable artwork exhibitions.
For those who’re on the lookout for a extra hands-on expertise, attempt vineyard and agriturismo scorching spot Fattoria di Fibbiano. With a farmhouse courting again to the 1700s, the vineyard has an enormous profile of natural crimson, white, rose, and naturally fermented wines. Throughout harvest, friends are invited to roll up their sleeves and choose grapes and olives and be part of the method.
Lastly, to find indigenous uncommon grape varietals, guide a tasting on the beautiful patio on the Marina Romin vineyard. Don’t miss her candy dessert wine, Vin Santo del Chianti — it’s paradise within the mouth.
Lajatico
The birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, Lajatico is dwelling to the incomparable Teatro del Silenzio — an outside amphitheater that majestically appears to drift above the bottom and contact the sky. Its rotating sculpture backyard comes alive every summer season live performance season, greeting friends from around the globe to expertise magical outside musical performances starring Andrea Bocelli and pals.
Peccoli
Winner of the distinguished “Borgo dei Borghi d’Italia 2024”, natural wine and artwork pair superbly in Peccoli. An open air museum, the whole village and its environment are immersed in artwork. Go to the work of David Tremlett, who reworked the whole By way of di Mezzo in Ghizzano into a colourful up to date set up.
After you’ve had your fill of artwork for the day, swing by Tenuta di Ghizzano and tour its natural and biodynamic vineyards, ending with a tasting of Il Ghizzano Bianco I.G.T. Costa Toscana and scrumptious native Terre di Pisa wines.
Palaia
Usiglian del Vescovo is an under-the-radar, must-try vineyard that additionally focuses on spirits and grows medicinal herbs in an historic seabed terroir. For those who’re not a vermouth lover, you’ll rapidly develop into a convert — theirs could also be the perfect I’ve ever had. Fragrant herbs like artemisia, helichrysum, rosemary, and oregano are mixed with their pure natural wine to create this silky vermouth. Don’t neglect to style the very good London Dry Gin, made with native Tuscan herbs that develop on the close by hills.
The place to Keep in Terre di Pisa
Borgo Pignano
A 750-acre Tuscan property and centuries-old villa, Borgo Pignano is a inexperienced luxurious lodge with 14 artfully embellished rooms and suites, in addition to two distinctive eating places. A saltwater infinity pool graces the villa with views of the woods, gardens, and neighboring hills. Strive yoga or horseback using, excellent your bocce ball abilities, or just lounge by the pool.
Villa Cosmiana
Nestled on a small hill in Peccioli, the impeccably renovated Seventeenth-century, neoclassical Villa Cosmiana is surrounded by Italian gardens and 15 vineyards on 11 hectares. With 4 beautiful flats to select from, that is true luxurious agritourism at its most interesting. No expense was spared within the renovation to deliver it again to its former glory, together with partitions adorned with classical and up to date artwork.
Castelfalfi
A superbly restored medieval borgo, Castelfalfi’s large property affords a laundry checklist of promoting factors. From panoramic views to a citadel, woods, a lake, 57 acres of natural vineyards, 9,000 olive bushes, climbing trails, a spa, and a Twelfth-century church — the checklist is really limitless. Select to remain in both their boutique lodge, luxurious villas, or flats. And dine inside a thousand-year-old citadel at La Rocca Castelfalfi, which incorporates a scrumptious plant-based tasting menu.
Find out how to Get There and Get Round
Attending to Terre di Pisa is extremely handy. Fly into Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, with simple connections from many European cities and serviced by 19 airways, together with British Airways and Lufthansa.
For those who’re already in Italy, the Pisa Centrale station is simply 45 minutes from Florence by way of a high-speed practice. I’d additionally suggest renting a automobile to discover Terre di Pisa’s backroads. Each the airport and practice station have your selection of auto leases accessible, from Finances to Alamo, and extra.
